Quilt Block Heaven in a Qube

Today's post is a fun one...at least for me...it's all about the new AccuQuilt GO! Qubes. I have been wanting to share this with you for quite some time, but I was sworn to secrecy until they were released...and then when they were finally released, I couldn't find time in my schedule to tell you all about them. I was lucky enough to work on several detailed projects using the GO! Qubes before their BIG debut at the International Quilt Market in Houston last month. First let's talk about the GO! Qubes, then I will share one of the extensive projects I worked on with you...

I have to admit, when I was first given the details of the GO! Qube, I was working with test dies and information on paper...and I was kind of skeptical. I have been a long-time AccuQuilt GO! user/fan/designer/blogger and have accumulated many most of the GO! cutting dies over the years and I thought to myself, "aren't these just the same geometric dies I already own?"...but I thought I would wait until I saw the actual product before making a judgement. When the actual GO! Qubes arrived on my doorstep, I floored from the moment I opened the box - my initial thought was "they are spectacular"! Seriously, I was stunned...and let me tell you why...

Yes, these may be the some of the same geometric cutting dies you already have in your collection, but the packaging is incredible, and all-inclusive...let me explain - let's start with the basics...

There are four GO! Qubes:

• GO! Qube Mix & Match 6" Block
• GO! Qube Mix & Match 8" Block
• GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block
• GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Block
  

Each boxed set contains eight geometric dies that make cutting a wide variety of quilt blocks extremely easy...what this means is: the GO! Qube Mix & Match 6" Block contains eight geometric dies that create more than 72 - 6" finished quilt block combinations (the 8" set makes the same plethora of quilt blocks, only with a finished size of 8"...and of course, the 9"set makes 9" finished blocks and the 12" set makes 12" finished blocks). The geometric shapes in each set include: two squares (one larger, one smaller), two half square triangles (one larger, one smaller), one quarter square triangle, one square on point, one rectangle, and one parallelogram - mix and match these basic geometric shapes to form an endless number of quilt blocks...and, get this, the dies even have a numbering system that makes it easy to know which shapes you need for each block pattern.

Now to the FUN part - each set also contains the proper cutting mat, 13 block patterns, and a "getting started" DVD...then to top it off, it is all packaged in a sturdy self-contained storage system! Yep, no more trying to figure out how to store the dies upright or having to purchase an additional storage system - it is all ready to put on your shelf. So, to work on a sampler quilt of 9" finished blocks, all you need is the GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block and your GO! Fabric Cutter....and of course fabric and time. I found it extremely convenient to have all the dies needed for a specific size quilt block in one place...

The self-contained storage system from the GO! Qube Mix & Match 6" Block.
The first folder contains the cutting mat, pattern book, and DVD. The other two folders each contain
the four cutting dies shown on the spine.

....and here is an image showing a couple of the GO! Qube Mix & Match 6" Block folders
open, so you can see more of what is inside to Qube box...

Now for some quilting inspiration - here is where one of the projects I worked on comes into play...each GO! Qube has a coordinating 72 Mix and Match Quilt Blocks pattern booklet available...and AccuQuilt had all 72 quilt blocks on display in their booth at Quilt Market...and guess who pieced those 72 quilts blocks?? - yep, you are right...me! I created samples of all 72 quilt blocks in the 9" size...and yes, it was quite the project! I actually took a photo of each block when they were finished, so here is a little "eye candy" slideshow...

Created with flickr slideshow.

Now, for those of you who rather see individual images of the blocks I created, here are a couple mosaics, showing all 72 blocks...and if you want to know the name of a particular block or see a larger image, the names are listed and linked (they are numbered left to right, row by row, top to bottom).

1. GO! Airplane Block, 2. GO! Blockade Block, 3. GO! Boat Block, 4. GO! Broken Dishes Block, 5. GO! Broken Sash Block, 6. GO! Clay's Choice Block, 7. GO! Depression Block, 8. GO! Diamond Star Block, 9. GO! Double Cross Block, 10. GO! Double 4-Patch Block, 11. GO! Double X No. 1 Block, 12. GO! Double X No. 2 Block, 13. GO! Dutchman's Puzzle Block, 14. GO! Flashing Windmills Block, 15. GO! Flock of Geese Block, 16. GO! Flower Basket Block, 17. GO! Flying Birds Block, 18. GO! lying Triangles Block, 19. GO! Flying X Block, 20. GO! 4-Patch Block, 21. GO! 4-Patch Star Block, 22. GO! 4-Patch Variation Block, 23. GO! Frayed 4-Patch Block, 24. GO! Free Trade Block, 25. GO! Freezer Jam Block, 26. GO! Hourglass Star No. 1 Block, 27. GO! Hourglass Star No. 2 Block, 28. GO! Hovering Hawks Block, 29. GO! Jewel Bock Block, 30. GO! Louisiana Block, 31. GO! Magic Pinwheel Block, 32. GO! Magic Triangles Block, 33. GO! Mill Wheel Block, 34. GO! Mosaic No. 6 Block, 35. GO! Mosaic No. 10 Block, 36. GO! Mosaic No. 13 Block

1. GO! Mosaic No. 15 Block, 2. GO! Mosaic No. 17 Block, 3. GO! Mosaic No. 22 Block, 4. GO! Old Maid's Puzzle Block, 5. GO! Peace & Plenty Block, 6. GO! Pinwheel Block, 7. GO! Pinwheel Star Block, 8. GO! Port & Starboard Block, 9. GO! Propeller Block, 10. GO! Red & White Cross Block, 11. GO! Ribbons Block, 12. GO! Road to Oklahoma Block, 13. GO! Sawtooth Star Block, 14. GO! School Girl's Puzzle No. 1 Block, 15. GO! School Girl's Puzzle No. 2 Block, 16. GO! Simplicity Block, 17. GO! Sixteen Patch Block, 18. GO! Spinner Block, 19. GO! Spool Block, 20. GO! Stargaze Block, 21. GO! Susannah Block, 22. GO! Susannah Variation No. 1 Block, 23. GO! Susannah Variation No. 2 Block, 24. GO! Trellis Block, 25. GO! Triangles & Squares Block, 26. GO! Turnstile Block, 27. GO! Two by Two Block, 28. GO! Uneven 9-Patch Block, 29. GO! Whirlpool Block, 30. GO! Windblown Squares Block, 31. GO! Windmill Block, 32. GO! Windmill Variation Block, 33. GO! X Block, 34. GO! Yankee Puzzle No. 1 Block, 35. GO! Yankee Puzzle No. 2 Block, 36. GO! Zero Block

If you would like your very own pattern booklet containing the 72 GO! Mix and Match Quilt Blocks, they are available on the AccuQuilt website (links below) and currently, you can download them for FREE!...and yes, there are four pattern booklets available - one to coordinate with each size of GO! Qube....

• GO! Qube 6" Block - 72 Block Patterns Booklet
• GO! Qube 8" Block - 72 Block Patterns Booklet
• GO! Qube 9" Block - 72 Block Patterns Booklet
• GO! Qube 12" Block - 72 Block Patterns Booklet

I hope you enjoyed reading about the new GO! Qubes and seeing the quilt block samples I created. If you are an AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter user, I hope you will check out the brand new GO! Qubes - they are boxes full of inspiration and definitely make quilting life easier...

I also designed and created a quilt that coordinates with each GO! Qube and I will share those quilts with you in a future post...stay tuned - my studio has been buzzing with projects and I have all sorts of things to share with you!

Christmas Cottage Cushion

Hello creative friends! Be sure to head over to the AccuQuilt Blog for my latest guest blog post...there you will find a complete tutorial for my "Christmas Cottage Cushion" with all the details, so you can make one of your very own...

This festive, holiday pillow is made with some basic piecing and machine appliqué and can be worked up rather quickly. It uses four AccuQuilt GO! cutting dies:

• GO! Schoolhouse (55344)
• GO! Rectangle-2½” x 4½” (2″ x 4″ Finished) (55159)
• GO! Triangle-Isosceles-5″ x 6″ (55016)
• GO! Strip Cutter-2″ (1½” Finished) (55025 or 55164)

....along with the GO! Fabric Cutter (55100S) or GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter (55500).

This project is great for scraps or fat quarters...and while I used more traditional holiday colors, it would look great in a variety of color pallets! It finishes a nice size (21½” x 13½”) - perfect for seasonal decorating.

So be sure to stop by the AccuQuilt Blog for a materials list and step by step tutorial, with images:
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-project-tutorials/christmas-cottage-cushion-holiday-quilting-tutorial/

...and while you are there, check out a plethora of inspiring projects - there are TONS of wonderful ideas to get you in the sewing/quilting mood!

Blooming & Blue:Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Greetings friends, fans, and blog hoppers - I am thrilled to be one of the first stops on the Quiltmker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour. This quilty blog hop is celebrating the release of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12...and to say I am excited to be a part of this special magazine and blog tour for the third time would be an understatement - I am such a HUGE fan, collecting the 100 block issues over the years...and I am honored, once again, to be in the company of so many extremely talented quilt designers that I admire...and even more thrilled to have my block on the cover!

If you are visiting my blog for the first time - welcome! Let me introduce myself...my name is Belinda Karls-Nace and I am a needlework and quilting designer, teacher, and professional finisher by trade (Blue Ribbon Designs). I picked up my first needle at the young age of six (and made my first quilt around the age of eight) and have been designing professionally in the Cross Stitch industry for almost 15 years. I am completely obsessed with just about anything created with a needle and thread - and when I am not working on my original cross stitch and counted thread designs, I find sheer enjoyment sewing and quilting...and in the very near future, I will be adding my sewing and quilting patterns to my brand (along with patterns that combine my love of handwork and quilting). I am an enthusiastic AccuQuilt fan, proudly owning all four of their fabric cutters and a wide assortment of cutting dies...and I am lucky enough to do freelance designing and sample piecing/quilting for them, as well. My blog follows my creative journey - including needlework, sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery...my handcrafted Etsy items...my original designs and patterns...tips and tricks...pretty much anything that inspires me...I hope you enjoy your stay and visit often!

Without further ado, here is my original block (YAY!!!), which I titled "Blooming Out of the Blue" - the magazine edited  my title (I'm guessing for space) to "Blooming & Blue", which I guess works just as well.  My original quilt block  is #1147 and can be found on page 31. My regular readers know I love to combine traditional piecing with machine appliqué, so creating this cheerful, floral block just came naturally.

This entire block is AccuQuilt GO! friendly...and for those of you wanting to take advantage of the cutting dies I used, here is a complete list:

• GO! Square on Point - 4¾" (4¼ Finished) (55019)
• GO! Half Square Triangle - 3" Finished Square (55009)
• GO! Quarter Square Triangle - 6" Finished Square (55002)
• GO! Pomegranate (55371) - used for small circle 2½"
• GO! 2", 3", 5" Circles (55012) - used for 2" circle
• GO! Rose of Sharon (55045) - used for 3"W x 3"H Rose, 1" Circles, 1½"W x ⅝"H leaves
• A couple notes:
• for flower stems, I cut one GO! Square on Point - 4¾"  (55019), then  sub cut four ¼" strips for stems
• For those wanting to use the brand new GO Qube for the base block - use the GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Block Set: Shape 4, Shape 5,  and Shape 6.

I like to audition my original blocks in multiples, with other traditional blocks, and with solid blocks to make sure they can be versatile...I also like to design blocks that will work well in a number of colorways. This particular block just happens to be a great scrap buster block! I had fun playing with this design in EQ7 (Electric Quilt 7 Software) and creating color variations to show it off...here is how it would look in a couple seasonal color schemes and how it would look as a 48" x 48" quilt...

For fun, I decided to work up my block with 1930's reproduction fabrics - which is totally out of my normal style/comfort zone...here is my block worked with fabrics  from the new collection Naptime 2 by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and sharing in my enthusiasm (and for reading this far)...and as a reward, I have a few giveaway opportunities (NOTE: this giveaway opportunity has ended). 

• Quiltmaker Magazine is giving away a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12 magazine to one of my lucky readers...
• ...and I have two copies of  Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12 magazine to give away...

Yep, THREE of my blog readers will receive a copy of the magazine!!

NOTE: This giveaway opportunity has ended...
Keep an eye on my blog for future chances to win...

For a chance to win one of these prizes, simply leave me a single comment telling me about your handmade/homemade holiday projects - I would love to hear about your creative endeavors for the upcoming holiday season...

To be eligible, you must include your e-mail address or have your e-mail address visible in your profile - international entries are welcome - you must leave a comment, no e-mail entries will be accepted. The giveaway is open until 11:59 PM CST Thursday, November 19, 2015 and the three prize recipients will be announced on Friday, November 20, 2015. No prize substitutions. Good luck...

Make sure you look for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 12, on newsstands tomorrow (Tuesday, November 17th)...it's the issue with the green band across the top of the cover. To find links to all the other blog tour stops, to read all about the other 99 blocks, and to have the opportunity to win a plethora of fabulous prizes, stop by the Quiltmaker Magazine blog:
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

A BIG thank you to Quiltmaker Magazine for including my original block in Volume 12...and thanks to YOU for visiting my blog - I hope you have been inspired and will return again soon!

Every Blister Saves a Sister:My Komen 3-Day Experience

Hello friends! I am back in Iowa and have had a little time to recover from my Komen 3-Day journey...and to say it was another incredible event would be an understatement. I am proud to say Team Twinkle Toes completed another fabulous sixty miles last weekend in Dallas, TX...and I have the badly blistered feet to prove it (although not as badly blistered as last year). Crossing the finish line, hand in hand, with my three teammates was an emotional experience, full of laughter, tears, cheers, a little pain, and a huge sense of achievement....there really are not words to describe it. The entire walk was AMAZING - even the rain - I savored the entire experience - taking lots of photos, meeting lots of people, and truly enjoying my surroundings. My legs, heart, feet, and lungs were ready (another full year of training definitely paid off), and I was able to take in the Dallas/Fort Worth scenery that encompassed me. I did manage to get another set of "Belinda blisters" - but don't worry - I am all good - my feet are taped up - and, it was definitely worth the pain, as the funds we raised will help so many and make an impact in so many lives.  There were numerous memorable moments - in fact, WAY too many to list...so, I will share a plethora of captioned photos with you that will give you just a peek at my experience (you should be able to click on them for larger views)...it was fun to see many 3-Day alumni that walk, crew, and cheer each year...and it was wonderful to have several new routes this year!

Twinkle Toes right before the opening ceremony...
L-R: Lori, Sandy, Lois, me

Walkers and crew gather for the opening ceremony...

A photo The 3-Day captured with Team Twinkle Toes starting out on day
one. We are in the front right (the four in black and pink)...^^^

Yard decorations along the route...

Another photo The 3-Day captured of Team Twinkle
Toes crossing the street (waving front left)...

First photo with firemen...it's a yearly tradition for me...

The backdrop reads "I'm keeping the promise for"...and we are pointing at our
"friend" and coach (Lois) who is a 19-year survivor...
Top L-R: Lori, Lois, Sandy...and that is me in the front with the sign...

Lori and I crossing the finish line on day one...still smiling after 20 miles...

This is me and Sandy's pink tent - our home for two nights...

The camp growing on day one...

A nighttime image of camp, as the rain moves in....

Route decoration....

Superman - a FAVORITE cheerleader...

Lori and I meeting new friends (well, we actually met these same
characters last year)...and yes that is tiny me  in the back
between the gold and white shirts...

Cheering station on a rainy, gray, and gloomy morning....

We had the funniest memorable conversations with the chicken, who we called
the "cheese guy"...

A photo The 3-Day captured of the incredible youth core...they
were the BEST again this year...I love my sneaky sticks!!

The dining tent at dusk...

The remembrance tents at dusk...

Many of you have asked about the showers...here are the semi-trucks
we shower in each evening....

A FAVORITE safety crew member - the "kilt guy"...
we loved seeing him again this year (and 70-pounds lighter!)....

The PERFECT "potty lady" - we love her...
...and yes, I got a star sticker for washing my hands...

Our very own Lois was a top fundraiser...raising just shy of an
AMAZING $10,000 this year...and yes, that is her on the poster
we spotted on Beverly Drive on day three!!!

The CUTEST cheerleader on the route!! She stamped each
of us with a ribbon and then posed for me!

Second photo with firemen...and yes, I am laughing on day three...

Just because I needed a photo of this craziness....

Team Twinkle Toes at mile marker 59...
Top L-R: Lois, Sandy, Lori...and me down low...

Because we needed a photo with Texas cowboys....
this was right before the final finish line...

A photo I captured of some fabulous safety crew members as
we entered Fair Park...

A photo I captured of some fabulous safety crew members as
we entered Fair Park...

Team Twinkle Toes at the Cotton Bowl finish line...60 miles complete!!

A photo I captured of some fabulous safety crew members and their
adorable dog before the closing ceremony...

Lori, Lois, and Sandy lining up for the closing ceremony...
I love my team!

The closing ceremony...

The final flag being raised - WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

A photo The 3-Day captured of me holding up my shoes at the
closing ceremony....

In closing (if you are still reading), I will share the thank you note I e-mailed to my donors earlier this week...this sums it up...my heart is full...

My dear friends, family, and needlework enthusiasts,

A GIGANTIC heartfelt thank you for supporting me on my Komen 3-Day journey! I have made it home from the event in Dallas - it was an UNBELIEVABLE three days and I am extremely proud to report we completed the 60-miles again this year. It was an AMAZING, challenging, fun, (at times) painful, and breathtaking experience...filled with heartfelt memories.

Because of your generosity, and the support of all of my donors, family, friends, and team members, I raised over $5,800 to help end breast cancer...our small, but mighty Team Twinkle Toes (four walkers) raised just shy of $22,000 for this important cause...and the Dallas event (1,100 walkers and 325 crew members) raised an OUTSTANDING $2,800,000! I cannot thank you enough for your support, love, and encouragement - I am so very touched by your generosity and kindness.

I also want to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude to those of you who made donations to our team captain for expenses, to those of you who sent care packages to me before the trip, to my mother and Dan who helped me with airlines tickets, shoes, and gear, and to those of you who sent sweet treats with notes to me in camp - you helped lighten the financial burden and truly enhanced my experience - I am forever grateful.

Finally, a HUGE thank you to my three Twinkle Toes teammates - you are beautiful inside and out and I was proud to share another 60-miles with you...you made this experience truly special and I can't wait to do another blister-filled 60-miles with you in San Diego - that Kool-Aid was delicious!

It takes a village...and YOU all made this INCREDIBLE journey possible and I thank YOU from the bottom of my heart. Together we ARE making a difference!

xoxo,
Belinda
Baby Twinkle

Check out the Komen 3-Day blog for a recap of the event and if you look carefully, you will see Team Twinkle Toes:
http://blog.the3day.org/2015/11/08/2015-dallasfort-worth-3-day-wrap-up/

Team Twinkle Toes is thrilled to announce we are headed back to San Diego in 2016!

So now, life gets back to "normal" - I play catch-up...I start sewing/quilting like a mad woman...I work on my new designs...I answer correspondence...I fill orders...I tackle the HUGE "to do" list...I stay medicated and try to keep my feet elevated...then, in a few weeks I will get back to training/fundraising for the 2016 Komen 3-Day in San Diego...it's all GREAT!

One final note - some of you are aware we had a death in the family the morning I returned from Dallas. My husband's 96-year-old grandmother passed away at home in her sleep. Services are Friday and Saturday in Ohio - so please be patient with me. Thank you for your condolences and kind words - she was loved and cherished and lived a full life - her caring soul will be missed, but I know she is now at peace with grandpa in heaven and I have another angel smiling down on me...